Outcomes of Pregnancy with Group B Streptococcal Infections in Najran, Saudi Arabia

Background: The gram-positive, beta-hemolytic, and chain-forming Group B Streptococcus (GBS), commonly known as Streptococcus agalactiae, may asymptomatically invade the human gastrointestinal and vaginal tracts. However, GBS may become very invasive and pathogenic to the mother and baby during pregnancy, having negative effects. Study Aim: This study aims to investigate the pregnancy outcomes of women who tested positive for genitourinary GBS infection during pregnancy in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from patient files in Armed Forces Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia. Data collected were entered to a Microsoft Excel sheet, then imported and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: The study included 272 women of whom 66.5% were 31 to 45 years old. Gestational diabetes was diagnosed in 8.5% of the sample, 71.7% had a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (NSVD), 1.8% had previous abortions, and 27.2% of new-borns were admitted to the NICU after delivery. There was a significant association between NICU admissions and women employment status (p = 0.001), gravidity (p = 0.001), parity (p = 0.001), history of abortions (p = 0.001), medical conditions (p = 0.049), and mode of delivery (p = 0.049). Conclusion: According to the findings of our study, GBS infection during pregnancy is associated to more NICU admissions. NICU admissions were significantly correlated with gestational diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism in mothers but not with intrapartum antibiotic use.